Julea Ward was forced out of her School of Counseling graduate program at Eastern Michigan University for refusing to counsel a man in a homosexual relationship, citing her Christian views.
She tells her story to Speak Up University:
The Michigan Attorney General has also gotten involved in the case, coming to the defense of Mrs. Ward, as the Detroit Free Press reports:
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has waded into a closely watched federal appeals case, siding with an Eastern Michigan University student who claims her dismissal from the university for refusing to counsel gay and lesbian patients violated her religious belief against homosexuality.
Schuette is the latest entrant in a case that has drawn conservative and religious groups, public universities and civil liberties organizations.
Video source: www.speakupmovement.org
32 Comments
She's a counselor, and by not counseling said student - regardless of his sexual orientation - she is not doing her job. Therefore, she should have been fired, and it was completely right of the school to do so. She shouldn't be attempting to disguise that fact by bringing in her religious views.
Mrs. Ward demonstrates the kind of COURAGE it takes to be a true Christian.
If I were looking for a counselor I'd expect her to tell me if she felt couldn't give me her best services for whatever reason. It seems to me that would be the most professional thing for her to do. It's a fact that not every therapeutic relationship is a perfect match, and It's very common for a therapist to refer a prospective client to someone else.
Mrs. Ward also stated that she does not refuse to work with homosexual people but that her religious convictions prevent her from counseling people about same sex relationships.
There is no reason for the sex practices of these individuals to even be discussed in school. This is a place of learning, not sex experimentation. I also question the purpose of a counselor in a school, the position adds nothing to advancing education and this type of waste is why schools have become so expensive to operate.
Why does it stop at homosexuality? Why not transgressors of the 10 commandments or other sinful people? Murderers, child molesters, etc... Who can she counsel if she can only council based on her convictions? She would be a bad therapist if when someone talked about her homosexual relationship, child out of wedlock, sex before marriage etc... She shut them down or otherwise abandoned them. She should get a degree in divinity and counsel at a church.
Combatvet:
Why does the racist, hateful bigotry of homosexuals stop with Christians? Why not Asians, Latinos and African-Americans regardless of religion?
Oh, it DOESN'T stop with Christians! It DOES go on to include Asians, Latinos and African-Americans!
"In 2006, there were reports of verbal attacks on gay Latinos by gay whites in The Castro district of San Francisco. John Mendoza, a protest organizer against racism in the Castro, said he was told by a gay white male to "go back to Mexico, you (expletive deleted) wetback, where you belong".
We need to realize that the majority of us Americans believe like Julea and we need to let the lawmakers know that.
I don't think homosexuals have any issue with Christians or any other group. The quote you used shows that there are gay Latinos but doesn't speak of their racism. It does mention white on Latino racism... Maybe you should look into that issue.
Homosexuals have a problem with individuals. There are Christian, Jewish, and Mormon people that are 1) gay and or 2) accepting and supportive of homosexuals. Your continued noise on this matter isnt going anywhere. This is a "red herring" you don't like a group of people- homosexuals- homosexuals as a group can't be racist or bigots... Just like Christians can't be as a group.if you are incapable of understand how this works... Go get educated
Combatvet:
Happy to accomodate!
"Racism within the Castro is nothing new, many report. "In the Castro, which is supposed to be the mecca of the gay community, there's no place for Black people," stated Swazzi Sowo, a former board member of San Francisco Pride. "The racism is so prevalent in the white gay community. In one particular store, a manager I know doesn't work there anymore, because people would come in and say, 'Look, there's a n***** working there." Sowo said that on three different occasions, she has been called racial epithets on the street. "It's like the '50s in Mississippi."
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=1812
Want some more?
You still don't see it in your own quote... Black gays are not racist then? So the gay community as a whole isn't racist- the gay whites are racist... And is it just gay whites there that are racist? Looks like it may be a white problem and not a gay problem. Not to mention this is just in one town in the country. This isn't even a study it's just hearsay (which we can allow because the point is that the community isn't racist)
Combatvet:
Right. Black gays and Latino gays are the victims of discrimination by white gays.
"Jamez Smith, a gay black man, says racism is alive in the Twin Cities' gay community"
"He accuses local gay bars of singling him out for harassment because of his race"
"By Bradley Campbell Wednesday, Mar 18 2009"
"In San Francisco, he had felt the sting of racism at a gay bar just blocks away from the spot where Harvey Milk gave a speech for equal rights."
"In another Bay Area incident, a gay co-worker told him to fly back to Africa."
"Smith has a hard time understanding how any gay man can be racist. "They know what oppression feels like. How could they turn around and be this way?" he says. "It's white privilege."
"And to make matters worse, the majority of the racism, sexism, classism, and straight-up cultural insensitivity I've encountered since moving here has come from the gay community."
http://www.citypages.com/2009-03-18/news/jamez-smith-a-gay-black-man-says-racism-is-alive-in-the-twin-cities-gay-community/
What did this African-American gay many say? "It's white privilege."
All of us need to support Julia for two good reasons. She never said that she would not counsel homosexuals just not their behaviour. This is code for the gay way of saying you must condone,endorse, and praise our conduct. Any therapy where the counseler councels against the behavior is not allowed and grounds for dismissal. This is why she should fight this.
The second reason is health. What about conseling against a behaviour that is scientifically proven to be harmfull to you. Gay sex leads to shorter lives, AIDS, and greater threat of disase. It is as unhealthy as smoking and obesity. If she counseled against smoking for health reasons that would be permissable. But in the case of homosexuality you have to approve of conduct that is hamfull to you right?
This is like these health classes I see in public schools here in Massachusetts. The health class advises kids against unhealthy behaviour except gay sex. The health teacher must approve of this very unhealthy conduct.
Thanks a lot, NOM. Much appreciated. I'll deduct it from the check.
Combatvet wrote:
"Black gays are not racist then? So the gay community as a whole isn't racist- the gay whites are racist..."
And what percentage of the homosexual population is white?
Combatvet wrote: "Looks like it may be a white problem and not a gay problem."
What makes it look like a "white" problem rather than a homosexual white problem?
Combatvet wrote: "Not to mention this is just in one town in the country."
So are you telling me that you want evidence of this in other towns, other parts of the country? Are you making a request? I'll be happy to oblige if that is your request.
Combatvet wrote: "This isn't even a study it's just hearsay (which we can allow because the point is that the community isn't racist)"
What is the definition of "hearsay"? "Evidence that is learned from someone else. It does not derive its value from the credit of the witness testifying but rests upon the veracity of another person." That's not "hearsay", it's a first person account.
The MOST important thing to note here, however, is your attitude. Here we have an account of racism against an African-American woman by homosexuals and you seek to demean, belittle and discount that with intellectual argument. The woman also happened to be a former Board member of San Francisco Pride.
This is how you treat your own, if they are a racial minority. You want to have intellectual arguments while they suffer discrimination and, at the same time, you want to indulge yourselves in the hipocrisy of preaching about "racist, hateful bigotry."
You are hypocrites.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think counselors should be allowed to discriminate. What if she refused to counsel a Muslim, citing her Christian views? We wouldn't put up with it. If she can't counsel everyone, then she shouldn't be a counselor.
To Kelly: Who said she would not councel her. She said she would. She could not approve of their behaviour. Any counseling to the effect of changing your conduct the homos will not tolerate or allow. All councel must begin with approving thier relationship.
If I was a counceler and someone was a smoker and my councel was for them to change their habit and things would get better. Should I be removed from my job then all councel must start with the fact that the smoker demands that you appove of smoking.
@Kelly
A Muslim believes homosexuality is as much a sin as Christians if not more so. Name me the last time you've heard of a "pro-gay mosque" in America.
Interestingly, despite Muslims' "homophobic" views, EMU has NO problem hosting events celebrating Islam:
http://www.examiner.com/islamic-issues-in-ann-arbor/emu-celebrates-islam-awareness-month-with-islam-101
If EMU were really serious about cracking down on those who declare homosexuality as sinful, they would be kicking Muslim off campus as fast as Christians.
@Kelly
Since you brought up Muslims and higher education, check out these comments by a Muslim professor who teaches at Vanderbilt University:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAW743OXC8o&feature=player_embedded
Last I checked, the professor still has his job despite his "Death to gays" message.
So, according to the rules of political correctness, you can condone the murder of homosexuals and keep your job on campus IF you are a Muslim.
(cont.)
So, Kelly, those engaged in homosexuality have more to fear from hardcore Muslims than from Christians who merely disagree with their lifestyle choice.
@ JohnH
Science backs up your assertions. Check out this
While the Health 24 article suggested that homosexuals may be pushed to substance abuse and suicide because of anti-homosexual cultural and family pressures, empirical tests have shown that there is no difference in homosexual health risk depending on the level of tolerance in a particular environment. Homosexuals in the United States and Denmark - the latter of which is acknowledged to be highly tolerant of homosexuality - both die on average in their early 50's, or in their 40's if AIDS is the cause of death. The average age for all residents in either country ranges from the mid-to-upper-70s.
Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons, a psychiatrist and member of the Catholic Medical Association, says there is evidence that homosexuality is itself a manifestation of a psychological disorder accompanied by a host of mental health problems, including "major depression, suicidal ideation and attempts, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, conduct disorder, low self-esteem in males and sexual promiscuity with an inability to maintain committed relationships."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=255614
This study is from the UK, which is WAY more secular and pro-homosexual than the US is. So, neither the Bible nor "homophobia" can be blamed for these findings.
Hence, Julea Ward is being loving not hateful for not condoning homosexuality, a sinful behavior that sends a person to an early grave.
Don your argument is irrational, laughable even... Now you want a percentage of white homosexuals so not only can you define an entire community but now say all white gays are racist?
We are debating not sympathizing or empathizing Don... Don't change the argument to sensationalize again.
This isn't a first person account, it's a 3rd person account. Neither party involved in said act are writing the articles you quote from.
You labeled a whole community, then pointed out that the issue was with one segmen of that community, now you should admit that reasonably not all of that segment is racist... So slowly your coming to my point. The community Isn't racist- a segment of a segment is racist. Soon we will work down to individuals.
She shouldnt of been a counselor in the first place, she has no profesionalism in the way she speaks nor she has values clearly.
God Bless and Strengthen Mrs. Ward for her courage. The Lord tells us that if we are not ashamed of him, HE, in turn will not be ashamed of us before his (our) Father. We should all be as valiant as Mrs. Ward, and Eastern Michigan University should be VERY ashamed of themselves and their behavior toward her.
God bless Ms. Ward and also Jennifer Keaton in Georgia who had similar problems in her graduate program-both of these brave Christian women stood up for their biblical beliefs! I pray that other Christians see their example and not allow themselves to be intimidated by gay /liberal bullies who want to silence the Word of God. Why should we let immoral people silence our first amendment rights?
Why is this any different from a counselor endorsing pornography or drug and alcohol addiction behaviors?
It seems to me that homosexuals hate the lord and anyone who believes in the body of Christ.
Why is this any different from a counselor endorsing pornography or drug and alcohol addiction behaviors?
It seems to me that homosexuals hate the lord and anyone who believes in the body of Christ.
Obviously, people don"t get the point. She did not refuses to counsel homosexuals, but the University wants her to give an affirmative therapy, an "your ok, go ahead, with your lifestyle" therapy, and here is were she can not concede. She can help and counsel the homosexual but according to what she believes is better for him or her. People think that all homosexuals want to go ahead with their lifestyle, but this is not always true. Some of them want counselors that help them out of it. So, I think EMU Masters program should teach her the basics but let her develope her own practice. Sure she finds clients who agree with her therapy and will thank her, and others that will just walk out of it.
People loves the word "DIVERSITY", but sometimes they can't stand it.
So many of you commenters have missed an important, even a critical, point in Julea Ward's position. She doesn't refuse to counsel homosexuals; what she will not do is lie to them by telling them that their homosexual relationship is OK. Outside of that, it sounds to me like she is quite willing to do the counseling requested of her.
Rosa: AMEN! Thank you.
To Fred:
Thanks for your great post. As much as I support NOM I feel that those of us opposed to the gay agenda have not used the health angle enough. We live in a society that promotes health and you can witness against unhealthy conduct. Remember when it was socially acceptable to be a smoker? I always argue what is the benefit to society in general in promoting a behavior that drives up our insurance costs, our health costs, and rate of death? To all the supporters of SSM I am open minded and awaiting your reply?
Science: The word of God base on science, two left hands make no sense, two left feet make no sense, base on science two mommy or two daddy make no sense, base on science common sense. The basic definition for sex and marriage is genitalia, the distinctness of an image, sharpness of the turth the organs of the reproductive system, God system,science, Blasphemy to the homosexuals,matthew 12: 31-32. Thank You From Minister Leroy Swailes.